USA > Delaware > History of Delaware : 1609-1888 > Part 82
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87
" Holding as we do, superior allegiance to the General Governitut, and discarding at this juncture all party predilections and prejudices, desire to assure the l'resident of the United States that we will stand lo. support and defend every patriotic effort of the Government to maintain the Constitution, the Union, the enforcement of the laws and the fat of our country forever, against any and all eueruies or assailants, at hotte or atorowl."
In accordance with the resolutions of the Minute- Men, another large meeting was held in the Odd- Fellows' Hall, to take measures to sustain the govern- ment. Speeches were made by John C. Patterson, L. E. Wales, E. G. Bradford, C. B. Love and Dr. Wm. H. White, and the following resolutions were adopted :
:
335
THE CIVIL WAR.
" Where is, The Constitution of the United States has birherto secured to the citizens of Imiswars, all the mantfoll olgrets for which it was ordained and established by the people, namely ; patice, domestic to its gustlity, the common de fence, the general welfare and the bteall ge of Liberty, by which we have grown and prospered for more than three- quarters of a century, protected at home and abroad by the regis of a National Government, cherslang pr ind recolle tions of the fast and in- dulging in lefty hopes of the future of the country, Therefore,
" Resolved : That we will redeem the at times pledges mule by our fathers-' Delaware was the first to adopt the e'n.stitution and she will be the last to abandon it '
" Remolred: That it is the duty of every loyal citizen to uphold the Constitution and laws, and to give cheerful obedience to the regularly appointed officers of the Federal and state Governments nuti! the same shall be legally altried ur changed.
" Resoleed . That in the present exigeney of the country when the chrizuns of different States are arrayed in hostile attitude agan.st earn other and the Federal authorities, we should be prepared to dewad the National Government, and to protect uit lives and property : and for this purpose we tecominimal all Constitutional ami law -In: _ citizens to at once enrol themselves into military continues to und by anus, fall other means fail, in restoring peace to our distracted country.
" Resolved: That the City Comment of Wildnesten be requested to appropriate funds towards defraying the expense at arming auf equip- ping such volunteer companies as may be raised in this city, and toassist the families of those who may leave the state en muhtary duty, and that our citizens generally be recommended to contribute means and money for the same object.
" Resolved: That while we deeply deplore the sad cotulition of our country, we fervently hope that the terrible results of civil war may yet be averted, and that we will calmly and harmomously umte in every effort to preserve the Union And we therefore deprecate all violence of language, denunciations and threats again-t persons, as anwise atii unbeconning, calenlated to enbitter neighbor against neighbor, to create acrimony of feeling and personal hostility, when we should present a solid and unbroken front."
The influence of these meetings and the resolutions which they adopted were soon extended to other parts of the State, and numerous war meetings were held, at many of which the Union flag was raised upon poles erected for that purpose. In Sussex County, where were owned three-fourths of the slaves of the State, greater sympathy was expressed for the South, and the growth of the Union sentiment was less general and slower than in the other counties ; but even there the Union men succeeded in arousing the people to respond to the call for men to support the government. A large Union meeting was held at Georgetown May 7, 1861, which adopted re-olutions expressive of the sense of the people of that section, and, while patriotic, there was a reservation about them which plainly indicated the controlling senti- ment :
" Whereas, we are in the midst of revolution and civil war, occasioned by folly and prosecuted in madness, and which threatens & permanent disruption of our Federal I'nion, and the destruction ot our constitu- tional liberties as a five people ; and whereus, under such circumstances it is proper that the people everywhere slomld consult together for their coninion good, and give expression to their opinions in reference there. to ; therefore
" Realred, That the people of Sussex County, without distinction of party, in public meeting assembled, hereby de haute,
" First, Their immovable attachment to the Federal I'nion.
"Second, The constitutional equality of all the States all of the pro- pie of all the States wherever the Federal authority extends, as the same has been exponuded by the supreme Court of the Un teil states.
" Third, That our national ditheulti's ought to have been pe iceably adjusted by the last Congress, and ought to be so adjusted as soon as possible by the adoption of the positionis commonly called the Crittenden Resolutions, by way of amendments to the Constitution, they being in the judgment of this meeting a proper basis for a compromise, in reference to the constitutional rights of the people of the several states, as the sallie were meant to be seenred by the framery of the Constitution.
" Fourth, That we are opposed to the spirit and acts of anlitionisms in whatever form and whatever name presented of p-stund, butebs de- claring obstructions to the due execution of the Inative slave law, the passage of the personal liberty bell, and the de mal of the equality of the States and of the people of the several States wherever the federal anthority extends, and the attempt to interfere by those not Interested therein, in any manner, with the institution of domestic slavery, to be
undet, aggressive, unconstituti val, and unbecoming a law-abiding
"Foto, That in our optobin secession is , evolution, and that the grievances and appearFed by any portion of the American people have a it beets sobotcient to justify close the last josef of a tree people for the virlication of their nets, Hat that the truffes for those grievance and those wrongs should have been caught in an appealby constitutional To ane to the sover second d noget of the people.
"Spoth, Thus Delicate is a arember of the Federal I'mon, and ought to remain ; that she has an dieter et, ut' command with other States, that the Fellend cappel should be preserved, and we hereby declare that Er diwuld be preserved and defended at all hazards and to the last ex- trenity
"Stre.th Tuel we deeply deplore our astonil calamities and the existence of wie! war , that the fountain the Southland the extremists of the Swell wodwas responsible for cut troubles, and winist we won- Home the ex esses et both, it sl cell be our earnest bope and prayer that wo Aln . Atty For idence with intrinse to say . our country from its nu-
" Lighth, That we acknowledge fraity and allegiance both to the State of Delaware and in the United States of America. To the State within the andere of it- reserved rights, and the United States within the sphere of its deleg sted anthority : that these obligations are not in- consistent but I: irmichaus and the' as law -abiding citizenis we will taith- fully fulfill thom.
". Vin'A. That the government of the country, while administered within the restrinty of the 'oushitution, is entitled to and should re- certe the support of all lov-abiding citizens and that while we accord this ol gimenes to the Federal Government, we expressly reserve our night to differ with the present Amministrativo in its measures and pobey, when it may aussen a party character.
" Poph, That the promptings of patriotism inspire the citizens of Surex with cordi u attachment to the Union and the constitution, and that is this county assemblage we wishvat any partisan motive and Heknowledge no standard but the day of our country."
The citizens of Fulton held a large meeting on the 18th of April, and erected a large pole upon which they perched the American eagle and hoisted the national flag amid a salute of thirty-four guns. On the 26th they assembled to form a Union Guard. The meeting was organized by Dr. N. B. Lynch as chairman and G. Anderson secretary. Resolutions in favor of supporting the government were unani- mously adopted.
A meeting of the citizens of Seaford was held on the 20th of April, and resolutions adopted "declaring strongly for the Union, and offering to devote their time, money and lives in the cause of their country." A company of "Home Guards" was also organized and thirty names enrolled.
On the 22d of April a spirited Union meeting was held at New Castle, which was addressed by some of the best men of the town. After the meeting a mili- tary company was formed, with eighty-eight persons on the roll.
The friends of the Union of the hundreds of Red Lion and St. George's held a large meeting in the village of St. George's on the 23d of April. Captain George Maxwell was chairman, with the following vice-pre-idents : John C. Clark, Thomas Jamison, Merritt Paxson, William Love, Alfred Loffand and Jacob Allison. William E. Janvier and L. S. Aspril were secretaries. After prayer by Rev. Joseph Dare, of the Methodist Church, the chairman appointed Anthony M. Higgins, Jefferson Henry, Theodore F. Clark and J. A. Benson to prepare resolutions for the consideration of the meeting. While the committee were at work the meeting was addre-sed by Dr. W. H. White. The following resolutions, as reported by Mr. Higgins, were unanimously adopted :
" WHEREAS, In a portion of the States of our U'nion the authority of
336
HISTORY OF DELAWARE.
the National Government has been overthrown, its laws dieregarded, Its property seized or destroyed, and its dig hred upon and insulted, and
"WHEREAS, Ir has been bobilly asserted that the remaining slave States will assist the former in their attempt to destroy the Federai Union, and
" WHEREAS, The President of the United States has called upon all loyal citizens to support him in defemling the capital of the nitist ir im threatened treasonable assault and in maintaining the authority of the Government ;
" Booked, That we the people of St. George's and Red Lion Hundreds. assembled without distinction of party in the village of st. George w, on the 233d day of April, Ivit, are nammonety of the opinion that hetice- forth every constitutional right of the United States ought to be sserted and maintained, and whatever means may be necessary to accomplish that object the patriothe people of the loyal states will promptly and cheertully provid ..
" Resolved, That we, the citizens of St. George's and Red Lion Hun- dreds, will, to the utmost of our ability, and the General Go eroment in maintaining its anthority, i enforring the laws, and in upholding the Flag of our glorious I'mon.
" Resolved, That Delaware, the first to adopt the Federal Constitution, will prove to be the last State to give it up, and that she niny ever serk protection under that star-spangled Banner which has been respected by all nations upon this earth,"
On the 24th of April it was announced that the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad Company having been taken in charge. by the Fed- eral Government through an agent in Philadelphia, all its equipments were under the control of the government, and trains with troops were being sent from Philadelphia as fast as possible, an uninter- rupted route to Washington having been completed. The Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, used for con- veying troops and supplies from Philadelphia to the Chesapeake, was guarded by a force of one thousand men from General Cadwalader's division. Armed men were also placed along the whole route of the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad from Elkton, Md., to Baltimore. The arrival and departure of troops in Wilmington was now a matter of daily occurrence.
In compliance with the requisition of the Secretary of War, Governor William Burton issued a proclam- ation on the 25th of April, calling for the enlistment of volunteers. It was as follows :
" PROCLAMATION.
" To the citizens of the State of Delaw ire :
"WHEREAS, a requisition has been made upon the undersigned as the Executive of the sud State of Delaware, by the Secretary of War for one regiment consisting of seven hundred and eighty men, to be immediate- ly detached from the militia of this State, to serve as . infantry or rifle- men for the period of three months, unlew sooner discharged.'
" AND WHEREAS, the laws of this State do not confer upon the Execu- tive any authority, enabling him to comply with such requisition, there being no orgamzed militia, nor any law requiring such organization.
"AND WHEREAS, it is the duty of all good and law-abiding citizens to preserve the peace and sustain the laws and government under which we live, and by which our citizens are protected ;
" Therefore, I, William Burton, Governor of the said State of Dela- ware, recommend the formation of volunteer companies for the pro- tection of the lives and property of the people of this State against violence of any sort to which they may be exposed. For these purposes such companies, when formel, will be under the control of the State anthorities, though not sulgect to be ordered by the Executive into the United States' service : the law not testing in him such anthority. They will, however, have the option of offering their services to the General Govertimient for the defense of its capitol and the support of the Constitution and Laws of the country.
L.S. "Is witness whereof, I have caused the Great Seal of the State of Delaware to be hereunto afhvid. Donie at Dover this twenty-fifth day of April in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, and of the Inde- pendence of said State the eighty-fifth. " By the Governor,
" WILLIAM BURTON.
" EDWARD RIDGELY, Secretary of State."
The State had no militia for the Governor to call
out; therefore his object was to encourage the for- matin of y danteer companies. This was the uttoost extent to which he coald officially act, and it was in compliance with ch - wishes of a large majority of the people of the State. who were roadved to sustain the government and derend the Union, without regard tu the person who nughe be the President of the United States. On the 14 of May the Governor, finding that volunteers were frecly offered, issued the follow - ing orders.
" DOVER, Delaware, May 1, 1861. "The ghostsigned, the constitutional commander of the forors of the State of Delaware, directs that those volunteer companies of the Brute the ware to be mastered into the service of the Limited States, under the will of the President, will rendezvous to the city of Washington., with ine h .. st porsible dely, where they will be mustered into the service of the Cited States by Major Ruft, who has been de- tailed by the War D' patdrent for that mujere, and who has reported himself to me and received my instructions. The regiment will consist of ten rumpantes, to serve for the period of three months.
" WILLIAM BERTOS, "Guverner and Commander-in-Chief."
To encourage enlistments, a number of the citizens of Wilmington contributed to a fund for the support of the families of such volunteers as required as-ist- ance during their absence in the field, and in com- priance with a resolution of the City Council, a meeting was held on the 25th of April to form an organization for this purpose. John MI. Turner pre- sided, with Dr. Wilson as seeretary. The following committee was appointed to open an office and re- ceive subscriptions for the support of the families of absent volunteers: John Rice, Joseph A. Hunter, J. Morton Poole, Jo-eph Pyle, J. F. Wilson, Thomas Titus and Edward Moore. Samuel M. Felton, pres- ident of the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad Company, also generously agreed that the salaries of the employees on the road who desired to enlist should be paid during their absence, and their situations would be open for them upon their return from military service. The physicians of the city, with few exceptions, offered to supply medical ser- vices to the families of soldiers free of charge.1
On the 9th of May, 1861, the relief committee of the city appointed ward committees to facilitate the collection of the fund, which had been subscribed, as follows :
First Ward, J. Morton Poole, J. Bringhurst ; Second Ward, Edward Moore, Thomas Titus; Third Ward, J. A. Hunter, Edward Bringhurst; Fourth Ward, John Rice, L. II. Coxie, Dr. J. F. Wilson ; Fifth Ward, Joseph Pyle, J. N. Robinson. Some of the subscriptions to this fund were very liberal, and aided very materially to encourage enlistments.
In June, 1861, two hundred families derived bene- fits from the "Relief Fund," the amount paid out per week being about four hundred and fifty dollars.
Encouragement to enter the service was also given by most of the lodges of secret orders and beneficiary
! On April 2rth Dr Craig gave notice that he would attend the fani- ilies of any of the men who had entist 1 without charge. On the 3ºth I.r. J. F. Wilson, tres-niet of the communtive to obtain funds to provide for the families of volunteers, requested the newspapers to nav that " no ene need hesitate to enlist for fear thit his family woubl not be provided for, as our citizens have responded to the call usbly, and abundance of funds for the purpose have lent subscribed."
337
THE CIVIL WAR.
societies, which pledged full benefits and all privileges of a member in good standing to such as would vol- unteer. Most of the lodges in the State, outside of Wilmington, took similar action in this matter.1
The ladies of Wilmington and other sections of Delaware also manifested their enthusia-m in their good work for the soldiers of the Union. As early as April 23d the wives, mothers and daughters of Wil- mington took measures to provide clothing and other necessaries for the troops about to be r.listd. On April 26th a sewing circle for the manufacture of clothing and bandages was organized in the lecture- room of the Central Presbyterian Church. The rooms were open daily, where the ladies carried their sewing- machines. On May Ist the ladies of St. Paul's Church offered their services and tendered the use of their sewing-machines for the manufacture of soldiers' elothing. On April 29th Col. Charles P. Dare, stationed at Perryville, conveyed the thanks of him- self and command to the ladies of Wilmington, for " the provisions and Inxnries with which they wereso liberally supplied." Mrs. Jones, who purchased the mansion formerly occupied by Dr. J. W. Thomson, at the corner of Eleventh and Market streets, tendered it to the city;for a soldiers' hospital or rendezvous. On May 18th, Company " D," First Regiment Delaware Volunteers, James Green, captain, passed resolutions thanking the patriotie ladies of St. Paul's M. E. Church, "for their invaluable services in making up the uniforms and clothing of said company." About the same time the ladies of Wilmington presented to the members of Institute IIall a beautiful flag. The presentation speech was made, on behalf of the ladies, by Hon. Judge Houston. The response was by Charles
1 Fairfax Lodge, No. 8. I. O O. F .. on May 5th, resolved to remit the dnes of every member who rolsted, and agreed to pay to the wives of those who were marriedl $1.50 per week while they were in the service of the government.
Good Tutent Division, No. 3, Sons of Temperauce, on May 7th,
" Resolved, That any member in good statuling in this Invision, who volunteers in the active service of our country, shall be kept in good standing by the F. S. until the Brother returns, and shall be entitled to benefits the same as though he remained in the city."
St. Peter's Beneficial Society, George O'Neal, president and James Monaghan, secretary, on May 6th,
" Resolved, That this society tendler toits members who may volunteer their services in defence of their country, all the rights which euch bene- ficial quember would otherwise be entitled to."
The Wilmington and Brandywine Council, No. 3. O. C. A. M., J M. Scott. recording secretary. on April 20th.
" Resolved, That every member of Wilmington and Brandywine Conneil who may enlist in defence at his country and far and who, at the time of said enlistment is in good standing in the council, shall be provided with n gutta percha blanket and be exempt from the payin ut ot bis dues, and shall, in case of sickuess or death, be entitled to the regul ir benefits of the Council."
St. Mary's Beneficial Society, in May, adopted a res lution trudering to its members who volunteered "all the rights which each member conld otherwise be entitled to "
Jefferson Lodge, No. 2. 1. 0. 0. F .. on May 16th,
" Resolved, That in case any members of this Lidge leave in response to their country's call, this Lodze ple Iges to keep saint members in court standing and to protect their fanther from suffering nud want during their ahsetice, provided said members are not in atreats to this Lodge nt the time of their enlistment."
Wilmington Division. N. 1. Ses of Temporanee on May lich.
" Reso'rel. That any member of this Division who hasor may volunteer his services to the General Government during the present crisis - hill In exonerated from bis dues during said term of service, provided he retain his pledge inviolate, and shall. in case of sickness or death, be entitled to the regular benefits of the Division."
B. Loore. The musical exercises were under the direc- tion of Mr. Triggs. A large amount of soldiers' un- derclothing, besides flannel bands and haversacks, were made and turned over to the five Delaware com- panies encamped near Wilmington by the " Volunteer Sewing Society." The ladies of Georgetown, Milton and Lewes, also made up quite a lot of useful articles for Company "G" in May, which were sent to their encampment near Wilmington. The " Union Home Gnards," at Seaford, were presented with a silk flag, on May 28th, by the ladies of that town. Dr. Fisher made the presentation speech, and L. J. Cannon re- ceived it on behalf of Captain Hopkins. On July 13th the " Red Lion Mounted Guards " returned their thanks to the ladies of St George's and vicinity "for their liberality in furnishing refreshments, on the oe- casion of the Fourth of July celebration and flag presentation ; also to MIr. and Mrs. John P. Belville and the committee of arrangements for their untiring exertions in getting up said celebration."
The charitable work done by the ladies' aid societies churches, sewing circles and individuals whose interest in the performance of the work allotted to their spheres was fully as great in Delaware, at this period of the war, as in some of the Northern States. In every section means were raised, food and clothing provided, and especially was this actively done at Wilmington. Before the close of the year sewing circles were formed in the several churches for the purpose ofeo-operating with the National Sanitary Committee at Washington for the relief of sick and wounded soldiers.
While the organization and equipment of military companies was going on, the spirit of patriotism was earnestly cultivated by the people. The national ensign floated from every public building and many of the private residences were adorned with flags.2 Patriotie sermons were preached from pulpits draped with the Star Spangled Banner,3 and nearly every religious service contained alln-ion to the duty of the citizens towards the maintenance of the Union.+
2 In May, Companies " A" and " B, " Delaware Blues, Captains La Motte, and the Columbian Rifle Company, Captain MeKang, marched to New Castle to participate in the, ceremonies attending the raising of A flag over the quarters of the New Castle Union Gnards, in the old foundry building. William B. Reed presided and George Janvier, L. E. Wales, Samuel Guthrie. Ehihn Jefferson, Edward Willams, William Conper, Nathaniel Wolff, Abraham Canon, George W. Turner and John A. Alderdire were appointel vire-pre-idents. After prayer by Rev. J. W. Spotswood, Mr. Tasker presented the flag. It was received by HIon. G. B Rodney, and W. 4. Spratare delivered an address. The Cuion Fitt- zens of Newport rated a liberty pole in that town on the 11th of May. A dig podle was al- porecte I in Diver about the sime tune.
3 The pulunit of the Secon t Baptist Church of Wilmington was festooned with the American flag at the sunday services in April, leil.
On April_Ist, Rev. J. S. Dickerson preached a patriotic Cuion sermon in the Second Baptist Church. On the same day Right Rov. Bishop Leo preached a patriotic an I touching serm m inst. Andrew's P. E. Church. on " the Christian citizen's duty in the present crisis." At the close of the services in the Central Presbyterian Church, Mr. Fullmer, tho organist, played the "star spangled Banner." Meets. John Lonsdale, Chatles Conplan, Samt t Hart, Wilham Lewis and James Year Hv, in Sonlas. April Hat, in a most feeling m inter took leave of their friends at seat M. E. Chuich, In seventh Street, before leaving Wilmington for Pintedolphin, to enlist in the army. They asked for the prayers of the contrgation in their behalf. In the Hanover Church, at the Sunday services, the choir sung " My country 'tisof thee, sweet Land of Liberty," with great effect. On Sunday, April 2sth, Hey Mr. Wiswell preached ut
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.